While countries around the world are steadily vaccinating the population and helping the economy re-open, the crisis of the last 18 months has made investors reassess their financial positions.
According to UBS’ Investor Watch survey, 90% of wealthy people agree that the pandemic has made them want to align their investments with their values.
The global wealth manager polled 3,800 people across 15 markets which include: Argentina, Brazil, mainland China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, the UAE, the UK and the US.
UBS discovered that people increasingly want to use their capital to drive change and are looking to make a difference with it:
- Nearly eight in 10 (79%) said that the global health crisis has made them reassess what is most important to them;
- Nearly half plan to increase their charitable giving, with women and the young leading the way; and,
- Around 60% of respondents are more interested in investing sustainably than they were before covid.
“The pandemic has prompted many investors to re-evaluate what matters most to them and now have a renewed desire to contribute more to benefit society,” said Tom Naratil, co-president of UBS Global Wealth Management and president of UBS Americas.
“It is incredibly encouraging to see that purpose-driven investment will be a priority for investors in the years to come. This is a unique moment where wealth managers have the opportunity to help their clients create immense change and better outcomes for future generations.”
Age and gender differences
UBS’ study revealed that investors aged 50 and under were the most willing to drive change with their money after the pandemic.
Around 79% of them claimed so, compared to 51% of people over 50.
Additionally, nearly three quarters of the younger demographic has expressed intentions to either develop or update a comprehensive financial plan.
From a gender point of view, more women than men saw the pandemic as a chance to reflect. 84% said they have reassessed their goals due to the crises, compared to 76% of men.
Similarly, 51% of women intends to increase their charitable giving, while 42% of men expressed the same desire.
Iqbal Khan, co-president of UBS Global Wealth Management, said: “Globally, investors are motivated to play their part in making the world a better, more sustainable place.
“The heightened interest in charitable giving and desire to obtain sustainable investing advice from younger generations is a sign, too, that this mindset may be here to stay.”
